Bangladesh has reported its highest Nipah virus deaths in 7 years with 14 Nipah virus cases in 2023, 10 of them being fatal. People are typically exposed to the virus through direct contact with infected animals, drinking contaminated palm sap, or eating contaminated fruit. The virus can also spread from person to person. The natural reservoir is fruit bats. Read more
Advice for travellers
Fruit bats (flying foxes) are the natural hosts of Nipah virus, and females shed the virus when pregnant or lactating. The fruit-eating bats perch on the jars used for collecting juice from palm or date trees, contaminating the juice with infected saliva and droppings. People are infected when they drink the raw juice, although it is also spread through person-to-person contact. In Bangladesh, Nipah generally occurs between December and April.
Before you travel, call Travelvax Australia’s telephone advisory service on 1300 360 164 (toll-free from landlines) for country-specific advice and information. You can also make an appointment at your nearest Travelvax clinic to obtain vaccinations, medication to prevent or treat illness, and accessories for your journey.